Royston Health Centre. By Keith Dobney

AN EXTRA £750,000 is being invested in upgrades to Royston Health Centre.

The centre, in Melbourn Street, is being improved so it can provide extra health services in the town when Royston Hospital closes.

NHS Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) had planned to invest £1m in the health centre, with work set to begin in April, but this figure is set to rise to £1.75m.

The ground floor will be refurbished to include new clinical space and an improved reception area costing £256,000, while changes to the first floor will be more extensive than first thought, costing £1.35m rather than £800,000 as previously stated.

Royston MP Oliver Heald received the news in a letter from Dr Jane Halpin, chief executive of NHS Hertfordshire.

Mr Heald said: “I was also pleased to learn the PCT is investing an additional £750,000 in the Melbourn Street site in addition to the £800,000 previously mentioned for the first floor.

“I am glad that the NHS is engaging with local people to try to ensure that Royston has all the facilities it needs for the future.”